Help Name Cornell’s Newest Grapes

It’s hard to come up with new winegrape names — they have to be unique, distinctive, and descriptive, look good on a wine bottle, and meet a variety of complicated legal specifications that you don’t even want to think about.

Advertisement

Because of this, the Cornell University Grape Breeding Program is challenging the grape and wine industry of New York to help us come up with names for two new winegrapes.

Growers who would like to try their hand at naming grapes can take a look at the variety descriptions (below) for NY 76.0844.24 and NY 95.0301.01 below. Be as creative as you like, keeping in mind that names have to be unique (no reruns) and should be designed to sell varietal wine. Send as many creative names as you can think of to Bruce Reisch at [email protected] by July 27, 2012, and they will put them on the list and will do all the legal footwork to check for trademark violations and such. Eventually the program’s members will compile a shortlist of possibilities, and will then pick out the names.

If your name is chosen, you’ll be acknowledged at the variety introduction and in publicity related to the event. (Sorry, no cash award- but just think of the lasting glory and fame!)

Meet the Grapes

Top Articles
Have a Plan For Climate Change? Why Fruit Growers Need To Act Now

• NY76.0844.24, a white wine selection, ranks very high for winter hardiness and productivity. The estimated temperature of 50% primary bud kill in mid-winter is –17˚F, and cold damage to trunks is rare. Wine quality is excellent, showing aromatic characters that panelists compare to Gewürztraminer or a citrusy Muscat.
• NY95.0301.01 is a red wine selection, and will be the first introduction to originate from the “no-spray” portion of the Geneva breeding program. It’s highly resistant to both downy and powdery mildews, making it a good choice for sustainable or organic growers. The wine is dark red with little or no hybrid character, and exhibits moderate body, good structure, and blueberry on the palate.

0